What to visit in Palma

Some of the main buildings of Palma de Mallorca

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WHAT TO SEE IN PALMA DE MALLORCA

Let’s talk about typical places and symbols of Mallorca. Likewise, you cannot travel to Paris and not visit the Eiffel Tower, or go to New York and not get to the Statue of Liberty, or fly to Rome and not see the Coliseum, you cannot visit Palma de Mallorca without missing these buildings.   In this post, we will not tell you secrets about Palma de Mallorca, but we will give you that list of “Must”, those tourist places, those monuments of interest and emblematic points, that you cannot miss on your visit to Mallorca and the city of Palma.

What to visit in Palma - The Cathedral of Mallorca

If we had to choose an emblem of Mallorca, this would be the Cathedral, which looks splendid near the sea and the walls of the city of Palma and therefore deserves a visit and contemplate it quietly … without haste.

It is a pride to have in Palma de Mallorca this bastion of Gothic art at its best.

The Cathedral of Mallorca is one of the most beautiful Gothic cathedrals in the world and unique for its exceptional location by the sea.

It is worth visiting for its grandeur, its space and its light. Its main rose window, located in the apse, is among the largest in Europe. And with it, some light phenomena worthy of being contemplated and of course photographed occur: on February 2 and November 11 the “Festival of Light” takes place.

Also, its great height is stunning: the central nave is the third tallest in the world at 43.74 meters and the side aisles are the tallest in the world at 30.17 meters.

Likewise, we must point out the last two interventions carried out inside the cathedral: that of 1904-1914 by Antoni Gaudí, his baldachin, for example, is hypnotic. And the most recent intervention (in 2007) that incorporated contemporary elements never seen in other cathedrals: the mural created by Miquel Barceló in the Chapel of the Holy of Holies.

From the outside, it is also a wonder. Its reflection in the Parc de la Mar, the lake, is impressive, both day and night.

Cathedral of Mallorca
Interior of the Cathedral

What to see in Palma - The Bellver castle

Continuing with the symbols, a historical building of Mallorca is the Bellver Castle, with a circular plan, practically unique and perfectly preserved, it dominates the city of Palma, offering spectacular views of the city with the entire bay, part of the Serra de Tramuntana and from the interior of the island.

Bellver Castle is one of the Gothic jewels of Mallorca. It was ordered to be built by Jaume II between 1300 and 1311. It was initially designed as a royal residence, but it has also been used as a fortress, as a refuge in times of plagues/diseases and social revolts, and as a military and political prison. Since 1976 it has housed the Palma History Museum, where you can see the urban development and history of the city of Palma; and visit part of Cardinal Despuig’s collection of Greco-Roman sculpture.

Different famous people were confined in the Bellver Castle: Gaspar Melchor Jovellanos, François Aragó, Arsenio Martinez Campos, Emili Darder, Alexandre Jaume and General Luis de Lacy.

This heritage is recommended to visit with children since this castle seems to be taken from a movie from the Middle Ages.

Cathedral and Bellver castle
Bellver castle - the Keep

What to visit in Palma - The Royal Palace of Almudaina

Located in front of the Cathedral of Mallorca, the Royal Palace of Almudaina is a construction of Muslim time from the 10th century and was the residence of the wali or Muslim governor. Almudaina is an Arabic word, it is the diminutive of the medina (city) and means “citadel”, but always with references to “fortress” or “walled enclosure”. After the Christian conquest of Jaume I on December 31, 1229, the Muslim palace became the royal residence. From the 13th century on, the building has been renovated and expanded on various occasions, leaving very few original remains. Currently, you can visit half of the building, since part of the palace is the General Command of the Balearic Islands. During the visit, the main rooms, the parade ground, the Santa Ana chapel and the original Arab baths from the Muslim period are visited. L’Almudaina is the Royal Palace or Alcázar Real in the city of Palma and is part of the National Heritage. The Royal Palace of l’Almudaina is the King’s official summer residence, although he lives in the Marivent Palace and only uses it for state ceremonies and receptions during the summer. To finish, we recommend you look at the angel on the tallest tower in the building: the 3-meter sculpture of the Archangel Gabriel, known as the Guardian Angel. A weather vane sculpture that is very impressive when the wind blows.
Palacio de l'Almudaina
Palacio Real de l'Almudaina

What to visit in Palma - The Lonja and the Consolat de Mar

La Lonja or Llotja de Palma is a masterpiece of civil Gothic architecture in Mallorca, its interior columns simulate a palm tree forest, the floors are mirrors that reflect the details and on the outside. It is majestic and cannot be missed. La Llotja was built by Guillem Sagrera between 1420 and 1452 when Mallorca was an important maritime trade hub. Located 5 min from the Cathedral, on the seashore and the current port of Palma, it was the Headquarter of the College of Merchants, where they met to negotiate prices, carry out commercial transactions, businesses, etc. From the end of the 15th century and onwards, Mallorca suffered various economic and commercial crises, thus Palma ceased to have such commercial importance and the building was used for various uses such as warehouse, powder warehouse and cannon factory. Currently, you can visit the building and the exhibition is the architecture itself. The Consulate of the Sea Next to la Lonja, there is the Consulate of the Sea. Since 1983 it has been the Headquarter of the Govern de les Illes Balears. The Consulate of the Sea was a very common medieval institution in port cities. It was linked to the law of merchants and big commercial cities. Its functions were to regulate trade and maritime affairs in commercial matters. The current building is the product of several reforms. It was built in the 16th century. On the main facade, there is a loggia Plateresque gallery with a balustrade and five large arcades.
Lonja de Palma
Interior de la "Llotja" de Palma

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